title: The commercialization of plastic surgery.
abstract: The last decade has brought a major challenge to the traditional practice of plastic surgery from corporations that treat plastic surgery as a commercial product and market directly to the public. This corporate medicine model may include promotion of a trademarked procedure or device, national advertising that promises stunning results, sales consultants, and claims of innovation, superiority, and improved safety. This article explores the ethics of this business practice and whether corporate medicine is a desirable model for patients and plastic surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Dr Swanson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Leawood, Kansas.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising / Q000639:trends; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000639:trends; D017146:Models, Organizational; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends
keywords: commercial; commercialization; commodity; plastic surgery